As Arizonans know, on a daily basis, more and more of us are
turning on our computers, charging our cell phones and powering our
iPods. Coupled with traditional energy uses such as watching TV,
washing clothes and running the refrigerator, the oven and the
dishwasher, the list of what we use electricity for continues to
grow.

Arizona is likely to start booming again as the economy turns
around, which will contribute to even greater energy needs. The
consequences of continuing down the current road of coal and
nuclear include increased air pollution, escalating asthma rates,
and higher and unpredictable electric bills.

I recently had the opportunity to participate in the workshops
conducted by the Salt River Project (SRP) to discuss the overall
direction of their energy plan and in particular revisit their
Sustainable Portfolio Program. SRP staff, including management,
should be applauded for their efforts to provide applicable
background information, offer attendees the ability to ask
questions of relevant staff, and ensure meaningful customer and
stakeholder participation throughout the process.

While the Arizona PIRG Education Fund is pleased that SRP staff is
recommending to their board the utility should increase its
commitment to clean energy, in order to be truly effective SRP
needs to enact the following:

1. Redefine "sustainable" to only include truly "sustainable"
resources. SRP should adopt the definition of "renewable energy"
adopted by the Arizona Corporation Commission in its Renewable
Energy Standard and vetted through a stakeholder process. Under no
circumstances should natural gas or nuclear power be considered a
"sustainable" resource.

3. Lead efforts for strong building codes. By using their
influence, SRP can help ensure Arizona homes and businesses are
built right the first time saving money and preventing the building
of unnecessary power plants.

The SRP Board of Directors is accepting comments on its Sustainable
Portfolio Program, such as those above, through May 9. The board is
expected to vote on revisions to the program at its meeting on May
23. More information, including the opportunity to file comments
online and attend the meeting, can be found at
www.srpnet.com/spp.

Please take a minute and encourage SRP to ramp up its commitment to
clean energy. By doing so, SRP will join with the other major
utilities in Arizona to further reduce air pollution, reduce
adverse public health impacts and reduce costs to consumers.

• Diane E. Brown is executive director of the Arizona PIRG
Education Fund, which conducts research and education on public
interest issues. More information can be found at
www.arizonapirg.org.